Sample bag

ABSTRACT

A sample bag for collecting a mixture of gasses for analysis is made of a modified polymer consisting essentially of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) and at most about 2.0 percent perfluoropropylvinylether (PPVE).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/672,242filed on Sep. 28, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,279,408.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a sample bag for collecting a mixtureof gasses for analysis, and to a method of collecting a diluted exhaustgas mixture from an internal combustion engine.

BACKGROUND ART

A gas diluting and testing apparatus is used to analyze, among otherthings, vehicular exhaust. The apparatus uses a mixing system to dilutethe exhaust gasses so that the moisture content of the gasses issufficiently reduced in order to minimize errors due to condensation.One example of an existing mixing system is the constant volume sampler(CVS).

The CVS has been used for over twenty-five years to sample the emissionsfrom automobiles. It is the device used for automotive emissions teststhat are the basis for the certification that vehicles sold in theUnited States are compliant with the Clean Air Act.

Automotive sampling systems, as well as other analytical systems,utilize sealed bags for collecting engine exhaust gasses for analysis ofcomponents after the collection interval has been completed. In order topreserve the integrity of the captured sample, the sample bag materialmust be inert, non-reactive, without leaks, and must have low permeationfor the specific gasses contained both within the bag and outside thebag. The sample bag must not emit or absorb gasses, and the bag materialmust be flexible for fill and empty cycling. In the past, materials usedfor construction of the sample bag walls have failed to meet one or moreof the above criteria, and it is desirable to provide a sample bag thatlimits these various undesirable characteristics. As vehicles becomecleaner, their emissions become more difficult to measure accurately. Toovercome some of the inherent limitations of the CVS, some attempts havebeen made to develop improved mixing systems. In addition to the effectsof the mixing system itself, mixing systems that collect a gas mixturewith a sample bag may sometimes be limited in accuracy due tolimitations of the sample bag.

Although many existing mixing systems and existing sample bags have beenused in applications that are commercially successful, with increasingdemands for more accurate measurement techniques, it is desirable tomake improvements to existing measurement and dilution techniques foranalysis of gaseous constituents.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a samplebag for collecting a mixture of gasses for analysis that is made of amodified polymer that limits the effects of diffusion through the bagwalls and limits the effect of residual gasses within the bag walls onthe integrity of the collected sample.

In carrying out the above object and other objects and features of thepresent invention, a sample bag for collecting a mixture of gasses foranalysis is provided. The sample bag is made of a modified polymerconsisting essentially of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) and at most about2.0 percent perfluoropropylvinylether (PPVE). The modified polymer ismelt processable, unlike conventional polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).Because the modified polymer may be heat sealed and bonded to itself byvarious welding techniques, the modified polymer reduces the effects ofdiffusion through the sample bag walls and residual gasses in the samplebag walls.

The amount of perfluoropropylvinylether (PPVE) co-monomer in themodified polymer may vary depending on the desired properties for thesample bag. That is, the modified polymer for the sample bag consistsessentially of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) and at most about 2.0 percentperfluoropropylvinylether (PPVE), and preferably, at most about 1.5percent perfluoropropylvinylether (PPVE). More preferably, the modifiedpolymer includes at most about 1.0 percent perfluoropropylvinylether(PPVE) co-monomer. More preferably, the modified polymer includes atmost about 0.3 percent perfluoropropylvinylether (PPVE). Morepreferably, the modified polymer includes at most about 0.2 percentperfluoropropylvinylether (PPVE) co-monomer. More preferably, themodified polymer includes at least about 0.05 percentperfluoropropylvinylether (PPVE) co-monomer. In a suitable application,the modified polymer includes about 0.1 percentperfluoropropylvinylether (PPVE). It is appreciated that the percentagesare mass percentages, as is readily understood by one skilled in thepolymer arts.

Further, in carrying out the present invention, a method of collecting adiluted exhaust gas mixture from an internal combustion engine isprovided. The method comprises receiving an exhaust gas mixture,receiving a dilution gas, mixing the dilution gas with the exhaust gasmixture to form the diluted exhaust gas mixture, and collecting thediluted gas exhaust gas mixture in a sample bag. The sample bag is madeof a modified polymer consisting essentially of tetrafluoroethylene(TFE) and at most about 2.0 percent perfluoropropylvinylether (PPVE). Itis appreciated that the amount of perfluoropropylvinylether (PPVE)co-monomer in the modified polymer may vary depending on the particulardesired properties for the sample bag.

Still further, in carrying out the present invention, a sample bag forcollecting diluted exhaust gasses from an internal combustion engine isprovided. The sample bag comprises a boundary structure and an inletconnected to the structure for receiving the gasses. The boundarystructure defines a container for the gasses. The structure is made of amodified polymer consisting essentially of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) andat most about 2.0 percent perfluoropropylvinylether (PPVE). It isappreciated that the amount of perfluoropropylvinylether (PPVE)co-monomer may vary depending on the particular application andproperties desired for the sample bag.

The advantages associated with embodiments of the present invention arenumerous. For example, a sample bag for collecting a mixture of gassesfor analysis that is made of the modified polymer consisting essentiallyof tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) and at most about 2.0 percentperfluoropropylvinylether (PPVE) reduces the effects of diffusionthrough the bag walls and the effects of residual gasses in the bagwalls (emission and absorption by the walls) on the integrity of thesample. That is, a sample bag made of the modified polymer overcomeslimitations associated with other sample bags including sample bags madeof pure polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

The above object and other objects, features, and advantages of thepresent invention are readily apparent from the following detaileddescription of the best mode for carrying out the invention when takenin connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a CVS connected to samplebags of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a sample bag of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3—3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a method of the present inventionfor collecting a mixture in a sample bag made of a modified polymer ofTFE with a small amount of PPVE co-monomer.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a CVS is generally indicated at 10. CVS 10 has amixing portion 12, a gaseous inlet 14, a dilution inlet 16, and amixture outlet 18. A dilution sample line 20, a needle valve 22 and apump 24 cooperate to fill sample bags 26 with dilution gas.

Raw exhaust from the vehicle under test enters gaseous inlet 14 and ismixed with dilution air. The mixed gasses are drawn through a mainventuri 30 by a blower 32. Main venturi 30 is sonic, or choked, andmeters and measures the flow of the combined gasses. A mixture sampleline 34 connects to mixture outlet 18 through a smaller, sample venturi36 also operated in sonic or choked condition. A pump 38 cooperates withsample venturi 36 to fill sample bags 40 with the mixed gasses for lateranalysis.

Of course, it is appreciated that the sample bag of the presentinvention may be used in any suitable mixture collecting apparatus andis not limited to the specific CVS illustrated in FIG. 1. In accordancewith the present invention, the sample bags 26 and 40 are made of amodified polymer consisting essentially of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) andat most about 2.0 percent perfluoropropylvinylether (PPVE). The modifiedpolymer of TFE with a small amount of PPVE co-monomer has improvedperformance over a sample bag made of pure PTFE. Specifically, whiledeveloping the present invention, PTFE film had been tested as materialfor the sample bag walls, and heated methods were used for fabricationwhich sealed the walls together. PTFE possesses some of the desiredqualities for a sample bag but has high permeability to some gasses ofinterest due to its method of manufacture. Specifically, the PTFE samplebags have high permeability to diluted exhaust gas mixtures that arecollected in automotive sampling systems.

Although PTFE sample bags have been used successfully because most formsof PTFE do not have a plastic or fluid phase, very small voids exist inthe fabricated materials which allows gasses to be trapped within thematerial, and also allow the diffusion of gasses through the walls ofthe thin film itself. That is, when the sample bags are made of purePTFE, diffusion through the sample bag walls reduces the integrity ofthe sample, and the bag walls may emit and absorb gasses, compromisingthe integrity of the present sample as well as future samples in thesame sample bag. In accordance with the present invention, a modifiedpolymer of PTFE with TFE and PPVE as co-monomers is used to make asample bag. The improved material, unlike pure PTFE, may be meltprocessed, to fill the voids in the base product. The resulting modifiedpolymer material has significantly reduced permeability to the gasses ofinterest and has reduced the presence of voids, so that the emission andabsorption of gasses by the bag walls themselves is reduced. A suitablematerial for a sample bag of the present invention is known as TFM™PTFE, and is available from Dyneon LLC, Oakdale, Minn.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a sample bag 50 includes a boundary structure52 forming the sample bag walls. The boundary structure defines acontainer for the gasses and is made of a modified polymer consistingessentially of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) and at most about 2.0 percentperfluoropropylvinylether (PPVE). Of course, the amount of PPVE may varydepending on the particular properties desired for the bag. It is to beappreciated that the small amount of PPVE co-monomer dramaticallyimproves the properties of the sample bag walls. For example, the samplebag walls made of the modified polymer have improved weldability, lowerpermeability, and other improved properties. At the same time, themodified polymer still has many of the desirable properties of pure PTFEsuch as chemical resistance and thermal stability. For sample bags ofthe present invention, it is appreciated that the denser polymerstructure with lower permeability and fewer voids is very advantageousto reduce the effects of diffusion of gasses through the walls, and theemission and absorption of gasses into and out of the bag walls, inturn, providing an overall higher integrity of the gas sample collectedin the bag than existing sample bags including pure PTFE sample bags.

In FIG. 4, a method of the present invention is generally indicated at60. At block 62, an exhaust gas mixture is received. At block 64, adilution gas is received. At block 66, the dilution gas and the exhaustgas mixture are mixed to form a diluted gas mixture. At block 68, adiluted exhaust gas mixture is collected in the sample bag. The samplebag, in accordance with the present invention, is made of a modifiedpolymer of TFE with a small amount of PPVE co-monomer.

While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described,it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe allpossible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in thespecification are words of description rather than limitation, and it isunderstood that various changes may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of collecting a diluted exhaust gasmixture from an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:receiving an exhaust gas mixture; receiving a dilution gas; mixing thedilution gas with the exhaust gas mixture to form the diluted exhaustgas mixture; and collecting the diluted exhaust gas mixture in a samplebag, the sample bag being made of a modified polymer consistingessentially of tetrafluoroethylene and at most about 2.0%perfluoropropylvinylether.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the modifiedpolymer consists essentially of tetrafluoroethylene and at most about1.5% perfluoropropylvinylether.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein themodified polymer consists essentially of tetrafluoroethylene and at mostabout 1.0% perfluoropropylvinylether.
 4. The method of claim 3 whereinthe modified polymer consists essentially of tetrafluoroethylene and atmost about 0.3% perfluoropropylvinylether.
 5. The method of claim 4wherein the modified polymer consists essentially of tetrafluoroethyleneand at most about 0.2% perfluoropropylvinylether.
 6. The method of claim5 wherein the modified polymer consists essentially oftetrafluoroethylene and at least about 0.05% perfluoropropylvinylether.7. The method of claim 6 wherein the modified polymer consistsessentially of tetrafluoroethylene and about 0.1%perfluoropropylvinylether.